NYS IPM 2003
Excellence-in-IPM Award Winners:
Art Agnello

Cornell
professor Art Agnello bans borers, wins IPM award

Art
Agnello receives his Excellence-in-IPM Award from
Michael Hoffmann,
Director of the IPM program, and
Nathan Rudgers, Commissioner
of the NYS Dept. of
Agriculture and Markets.

Agnello earned the honor through his
innovative work in helping fruit growers solve difficult pest problems
in ways that pose minimal risks, whether to the environment, human health,
or economic well-being.

As researcher who spends a good part
of his time out in the field—among the apple, peach, pear and
cherry orchards that stretch from one end of New York to the other—Agnello
develops simplified ways of monitoring pests and integrates biological
controls into pest management strategies. Recently, his work on disrupting
the life cycles of peach tree borers with pheromones, the chemical signals
that many pests use to communicate with each other, has produced such
complete control that growers no longer need to apply pesticide drenches
to their trees.

“Art is a team player with a
commitment to the IPM philosophy and translating this philosophy into
practical day-to-day actions,” says Jan Nyrop, professor of entomology
at Cornell University.

Agnello makes sure that his results
get in the right hands by publishing Scaffolds, an online newsletter
targeted to orchardists.

“His timing with specific articles
is impressive,” says John Halsey of Water Mill, New York, who
grows 28 varieties of apples including Fuji, Braeburn, and Pink Lady.
“Just as we are thinking about what should be done next in the
orchard, Art has an article to back up our thoughts and to answer important
questions.”

Agnello’s work is known far beyond
the boundaries of New York State. “He is a national leader in
the arena of tree fruit IPM,” says James Walgenbach, professor
of entomology at North Carolina State University.

Agnello received his award on February
11 at the Empire State Fruit and Vegetable
Expo in Rochester, NY.

written by by Mary Woodsen

NYS IPM on:

These pages are maintained by the New York State IPM Program, part of Cornell Cooperative Extension. All material is protected by Section 107 of the 1976 copyright law. Copyright is held by Cornell University and the New York State IPM Program.